Nonito Donaire drops Reymart Gaballo with body shot to retain world title

WBC world bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. made a successful defense of his gold-plated strap following a fourth-round knockout over WBC interim bantamweight titleholder Reymart Gaballo this Sunday (PHL time) at the Dignity Health Sports Park in California, USA.

Gaballo opened the contest throwing sharp jabs and right straights to the head and body. Donaire was patient, throwing calculated punches as he seemingly tried to read what his fellow Filipino had to offer.

Donaire started to press in round two but neither landed telling blows yet. They exchanged leather in round three with both fighters having moments of their own. Donaire then started to sit on his punches more in round 4.

As Gaballo opened up during an exchange, Donaire unloaded a left hook to the body that reduced the challenger to a knee Gaballo tried to beat the count but went back to a knee due to excruciating pain, earning the 39-year-old a knockout victory.

THE RENAISSANCE CONTINUES! @filipinoflash retains his WBC bantamweight title with a powerful body shot ???? #DonaireGaballo pic.twitter.com/B2FN9oC7tO

— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) December 12, 2021

The win improved Donaire’s record to 42-6 with 28 knockouts while Gaballo tasted his first defeat as he fell to 24-1 with 20 knockouts.

—JMB, GMA News